REDUCING SPEED LIMIT A BANDAID SOLUTION

“Investing in the State’s roads, not implementing a revenue raising speed reduction, is the way to reduce road fatalities on country roads,” Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said today.

“The recent decision by State Roads Minister Jennifer Rankine to reduce the speed limit on 864kms of State roads within a 100km radius of Adelaide affects many of my constituents,” he said.

“I have recently written to Minister Rankine stressing the high impact her actions have on Yorke Peninsula residents and in particular those within the prescribed radius who can be almost 300km by road from Adelaide.

“I have correspondence from the Minister’s departmental CEO Rod Hook, informing me in the period between 2006 -2010, on the 864km of nominated roads, there were 290 casualty crashes in which 22 people died. He further informs it is estimated the speed reduction will result in 12 fewer casualty crashes a year on the nominated roads, this is an estimated 23% reduction. If we assume there is also a corresponding reduction in fatalities this will lead to one fewer road deaths a year in a state total of around 120. This is hardly a significant leap in road safety!

“I also asked for clarification of the “expert” analysis the State Government uses to justify its actions. And have asked for the number (or percentage) of the 22 fatal crashes in which speeds in excess of the current (110kph) limits were a factor.

“Mr Hook highlighted the $17m spent on the nominated roads over the last five years. As one who travels most of them regularly I can only concur with the RAA’s assessment of a $400m backlog on the State’s regional road network.

 “I also drew to the Minister’s attention the recent comments by National Transport Commissioner Prof Ian Johnston, where he clearly identified the condition of our roads network as the prime cause of accidents.

Mr Ramsey said many fatalities could be prevented by improving the quality and safety of our roads. It is imperative the State Government invest not just in road maintenance, but improvements to country roads.

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“The Minister’s decision to reduce the speed limit is applicable only to the State maintained roads, by inference the national network is safer and the Government’s actions recognise its failure to maintain State roads to a level where the 110kph limit is safe”, he said.

“Conversely there are a number of roads throughout the state where in fact the road condition is good. If it is appropriate to reduce limits where conditions dictate, as the Minister has done, surely it makes sense where road conditions are better to give serious consideration to lifting the limit to 110kph.”

Mr Ramsey has advised the Minister he would be pleased to liaise with the various communities to put forward a list of roads for her consideration.”

Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744

November 18 2011